Thermoelectric generator for gasoline engine vehicles using Bi2Te3 modules

A thermoelectric generator has been made consisting of an inner shell as a exhaust pipe, an outer shell as a water jacket and 16 Bi2Te3 modules workin g at low temperature established between the inner shell and the outer shel l. Heat-exchanging fins were formed inside the inner shell with heat transf er area ratios of 0.92, 1.21, 1.65, and 1.99 along the exhaust gas flow, in order to reduce the temperature distribution at the hot side of the module s without over overheating of the module. When the exhaust gas was introduc ed to the inner shell of the generator under conditions corresponding to a 2-3 litre gasoline engine vehicle running at 60 km/h up a 3-5% hill, the el ectric power generated by the generator was 193 W. The heat change conversi on efficiency of the generator was estimated at to be 37% of the primary ex haust gas energy flux. The generated power was 2.9% of the heat flux throug h the generator.